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Associated Press and Briana Bierschbach
Minneapolis

Chinese businessman leaves country as investigation into sexual misconduct continues

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Liu Qiangdong
This 2018 photo provided by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office shows Chinese billionaire Liu Qiangdong, also known as Richard Liu, who was arrested in Minneapolis on suspicion of criminal sexual conduct, jail records show.
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office via AP

Updated: 12:05 p.m. Sept. 3 | Posted: 1:49 p.m. Sept. 2

A Chinese billionaire studying at the University of Minnesota has apparently returned to China after he was arrested and released from Hennepin County Jail over the weekend on suspicion of criminal sexual conduct.

The Associated Press reports that Liu Quiandong, founder of e-commerce company JD.com, returned to China and company officials are claiming the allegations are "false." He was arrested Friday evening and released from the jail Saturday without bail.

Minneapolis police have not provided details of the allegations because an investigation into the incident is ongoing, spokesperson John Elder said Monday.

Under state law, police can hold someone for 36 hours after they are arrested and before they appear in court. Elder said he is "unaware" of Liu's whereabouts, adding it's not uncommon to release someone if law enforcement officials do not think there will be any charges filed before that window is over.

"Because he was not charged with a crime, we have not sought out restricting his movements or his travel and therefore he is free to go about wherever he would like to," Elder said. "We are confident that we would be able to reconnect with him as it becomes necessary as we move through this investigation."

Elder said there is no immediate timeline for when charges could be filed but said "we have dedicated the resources to do a very thorough and complete investigation."

"We have the utmost concern to service the person who made the complaint in this case as well as preserving the right of the accused," he said. "These things are going to take some time."

Liu, 45, is registered as a student in the Carlson School of Management's Doctor of Business Administration China program and was in the Twin Cities from Aug. 20 through Sept. 1 as part of a residency through the program, according to a university spokesperson.

In Minnesota, there are five degrees of criminal sexual misconduct, which cover allegations ranging from non-consensual touching to assault. Penalties also range from a gross misdemeanor to felony charges.